Can I use more than two し？

Yes! You can chain 3 or more if you like. Example: 楽たのしいし、きれいだし、便利べんりだし。= It's fun, clean, and convenient.

What particles (like 「を」「が」「に」「で」) are used before the verb/adjective/noun in each 「〜し」 clause?

The particles used within each 「〜し」 clause are the same particles that would normally be used with that verb, adjective, or noun in a regular short-form sentence. They indicate the relationship of other nouns to the word before 「し」 within that part of the list.

How is using 「〜し、〜し」 different from using other listing particles like 「〜とか〜とか」 or 「〜や〜や」?

These particles all list examples, but with different focuses: 〜し、〜し: Primarily used for listing reasons or characteristics that support a conclusion or provide context. It emphasizes the idea of "this, and also that." It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. 〜や〜 (etc.): Used for listing nouns as examples. It simply means "A, B, and so on." It doesn't necessarily imply these are reasons or have a strong "and also" feel. Example: コンビニでサラダやおにぎりを買かいました。= I bought salad and rice balls at a convenience store. (Just listing items) 〜とか〜とか: Also used for listing nouns or sometimes short phrases/actions as examples. Similar to 「〜や〜や」 but often sounds more casual. Example: きのうは、アニメを見みたりとか、友ともだちと遊あそんだりとかしました。= Yesterday, I watched anime and hung out with friends.

Can I use the 「〜し」 form with only one clause before the main part of the sentence? What does that mean?

Yes, you can use just one 「〜し」 clause. When used alone, it often implies that there are other reasons (which may or may not be stated) besides the one mentioned, or it adds a softer tone to the reason. It can also be used to list a single characteristic or fact as a point in a conversation. Example: 今日はちょっと…。頭が痛いし。(Kyou wa chotto…. atama ga itai shi.) = Today is a bit…, well, my head hurts, for one thing / among other things. (Implies this is a reason, maybe there are others).

Does the order of the reasons or items in the 「〜し、〜し」 list matter?

Generally, the order of the clauses in a 「〜し、〜し」 list does not imply a specific sequence in which the reasons or characteristics occur or are considered. You are simply presenting multiple points that are relevant to the main idea, and the order is often based on what comes to mind first or what you want to emphasize slightly more (often the last item before the conclusion might have slightly more emphasis).

How to Say Multiple Reasons in Japanese | Using (Short Form) + shi（〜し〜し）

contents

Introduction
1. Grammar Structure
2. What is the Short [Plain] Form?
3. When to Use (Short Form) + し、(Short Form) + し
4. Example Sentences
5. Practice Time!
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
7. Conclusion
- Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Introduction

Want to explain your reasons in Japanese like:

“I like traveling because it’s fun and interesting”?
“I don’t like that restaurant because it’s expensive and not delicious”?

In Japanese, when you want to state multiple reasons (or give examples of reasons), you use:

(Short [plain] form) + し、(Short [plain] form) + し

Let’s learn how to use this natural and friendly grammar pattern!

1. Grammar Structure

Pattern: (short form) + し、(short form) + し

English	Japanese
I like traveling because I can meet many people and eat unique food.	旅行りょこうが好すきです。いろいろな人ひとに会あえるし、珍めずらしい料理りょうりが食たべられるし。
That house is nice because it’s big and clean.	あの家いえは広ひろいし、きれいだし、すてきですね。
I don’t like this restaurant because it’s expensive and not delicious.	このレストランは高たかいし、おいしくないし、好すきじゃないです。

2. What is the Short [Plain] Form?

Verbs: plain form (辞書形じしょけい or short negative form)
い-adjectives: keep as is
な-adjectives and nouns: add だ before し

Type	Example: Positive	Example: Negative
Verb	行いく → 行くし	行かない → 行かないし
い-adjective	高たかい → 高いし	高くない → 高くないし
な-adjective	静しずか → 静かだし	静かじゃない → 静かじゃないし
Noun	学生がくせい → 学生だし	学生じゃない → 学生じゃないし

Note: If you’re not confident in your short forms, review Level 1 – Lesson 8!

3. When to Use (Short Form) + し、(Short Form) + し

✅ Giving multiple reasons
✅ Listing examples casually
✅ Emphasizing “not only this, but also that”

This sentence pattern is used not only for listing reasons, but also for parallel descriptions.

ゆうきさんは面白おもしろいし、かっこいいし、それに勉強べんきょうができます。= Yuki is funny, he’s cool, and besides, he studies well.
このホテルは安やすいし、きれいだし、それに便利べんりです。= This hotel is cheap, it’s clean, and besides, it’s convenient.

4. Example Sentences

Ken

どこに旅行りょこうにいきたいですか。
Where would you like to travel?

Yumi

京都きょうとに行いきたいです。きれいだし、歴史れきしがあるし。
I want to go to Kyoto because it’s beautiful and historical.

Koki

居酒屋いざかやにいきませんか。
Why don’t you go to a pub with me?

Saori

ごめんなさい。今日きょうは疲つかれたし、眠ねむいし、早はやく帰かえりたいです。
I’m sorry. I’m tired and sleepy today, and I want to go home soon.

Satoshi

吉田先生よしだせんせいはどんな人ひとですか。
What kind of person is Dr. Yoshida?

Michiko

親切しんせつだし、手術しゅじゅつも上手じょうずだし、いい先生せんせいです。
She is kind, good at surgery, and a good doctor.

5. Practice Time!

Use (short form)＋し、(short form)＋し to answer:

Situation	Example
Why do you like karaoke?	楽しいし、歌うのが好きだし。 It’s fun and I like to sing.
Why don’t you smoke?	体に悪いし、高いし。 It’s bad for me and expensive.
Why do you want to go out today?	日曜日だし、天気がいいし。 It’s Sunday and the weather is nice.
Why don’t you like this hotel?	部屋が狭いし、サービスも悪いし。 The rooms are small and the service is bad.

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I use more than two し？: A
Yes! You can chain 3 or more if you like. Example: 楽たのしいし、きれいだし、便利べんりだし。= It’s fun, clean, and convenient.

Q What particles (like 「を」「が」「に」「で」) are used before the verb/adjective/noun in each 「〜し」 clause?: A
The particles used within each 「〜し」 clause are the same particles that would normally be used with that verb, adjective, or noun in a regular short-form sentence. They indicate the relationship of other nouns to the word before 「し」 within that part of the list.

Q How is using 「〜し、〜し」 different from using other listing particles like 「〜とか〜とか」 or 「〜や〜や」?: A
These particles all list examples, but with different focuses:
〜し、〜し: Primarily used for listing reasons or characteristics that support a conclusion or provide context. It emphasizes the idea of “this, and also that.” It can be used with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
〜や〜 (etc.): Used for listing nouns as examples. It simply means “A, B, and so on.” It doesn’t necessarily imply these are reasons or have a strong “and also” feel.　
Example: コンビニでサラダやおにぎりを買かいました。= I bought salad and rice balls at a convenience store. (Just listing items)
〜とか〜とか: Also used for listing nouns or sometimes short phrases/actions as examples. Similar to 「〜や〜や」 but often sounds more casual.
Example: きのうは、アニメを見みたりとか、友ともだちと遊あそんだりとかしました。= Yesterday, I watched anime and hung out with friends.

Q Can I use the 「〜し」 form with only one clause before the main part of the sentence? What does that mean?: A
Yes, you can use just one 「〜し」 clause. When used alone, it often implies that there are other reasons (which may or may not be stated) besides the one mentioned, or it adds a softer tone to the reason. It can also be used to list a single characteristic or fact as a point in a conversation.
Example: 今日はちょっと…。頭が痛いし。(Kyou wa chotto…. atama ga itai shi.) = Today is a bit…, well, my head hurts, for one thing / among other things. (Implies this is a reason, maybe there are others).

Q Does the order of the reasons or items in the 「〜し、〜し」 list matter?: A
Generally, the order of the clauses in a 「〜し、〜し」 list does not imply a specific sequence in which the reasons or characteristics occur or are considered. You are simply presenting multiple points that are relevant to the main idea, and the order is often based on what comes to mind first or what you want to emphasize slightly more (often the last item before the conclusion might have slightly more emphasis).

7. Conclusion

Now you can:

✅ List multiple reasons naturally
✅ Handle short form + し easily
✅ Express your thoughts fluently!

🎯 Try this:
Describe why you like (or don’t like) your city using two or more reasons with (short) + し！

Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.

Whether you’re completely new to Japanese or looking to refine your skills, book a one-on-one session.